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Horween Chromexcel Custom Options Coming Soon - Why Horween Leathers?

Nov 23, 2025

Introduction — Launching Horween Custom Options

Before the year ends, Brake House will be introducing a Horween Leather custom leather option for our engineer boots. To celebrate this launch, this blog explores what makes Horween leather so special, how their most famous leather Chromexcel (CXL) is made, and why it remains one of the most respected leathers for engineer boots today.

Why Horween Matters — A Legacy of Over a Century

Founded in 1905 in Chicago, Horween Leather Company is one of the most respected tanneries in the world. Even without explicitly highlighting the maker in our brand strategy, the very name Horween carries weight—synonymous with quality, heritage, and durability.

Key Characteristics of Horween Leather
  • More than a century of tanning expertise
  • Rich depth of color from natural oils and waxes
  • Dramatic pull-up effect that evolves with wear
  • A tactile sense of character that only improves over time

Among leather enthusiasts, Horween isn’t merely a supplier—it’s a benchmark.

Inside the Chromexcel Process — Hybrid Tanning Explained

Chromexcel (CXL) is Horween’s signature leather, developed over a century ago and still produced through a meticulous, multi-stage process.

Highlights of the CXL Tanning Method
  • Hybrid tanning: vegetable tanning + chrome tanning
  • 89+ individual steps from start to finish
  • Heavy infusion of natural oils and waxes
  • Deep color layers that shift when the leather bends or stretches
  • A finish that grows shinier, smoother, and more dimensional over time

The result is a leather that combines structure, flexibility, and an unmistakable aesthetic—something no other tannery has replicated in the same way.

Leather Engineer Boots 3530-Brake House-Black-4

Why Chromexcel Is Ideal for Engineer Boots

Engineer boots demand a leather that can handle real-world wear: movement, tension, weather, and long-term durability. Chromexcel fits that requirement—and adds a powerful visual presence.

Why CXL Works Perfectly for Engineer Boots
  • Durability: Tough enough for daily wear, yet pliable enough to break in smoothly
  • Comfort: Natural flexibility makes the early wear-in period significantly easier
  • Aging: High oil/wax content leads to beautiful pull-up and creasing patterns
  • Maintenance: Easy to condition and keep healthy over years of use
  • Aesthetic depth: Few leathers offer this level of shine, color shifting, and character

This combination of performance and visual richness is why CXL is widely considered one of the best leathers for heritage footwear.

Brake House’s Approach — Rare Colors, Thoughtful Customization, Honest Pricing

At Brake House, our priority is simple: make premium materials accessible without compromising quality. For the Horween custom program, we’re preparing a range of options including not only CXL but other famous Horween leather options like Essex as well, which are rarely seen even among well-known bootmakers 

Coming Color & Leather Options

  • CXL Natural

  • CXL Green

  • Essex Brown Nut

  • Essex English Tan

  • Dublin Russet Brown and may others

Value We Aim to Deliver

  • Custom-made boots built to order

  • Options typically unavailable from major makers

  • Pricing set at roughly half the cost of big-name brands that typically cost USD 1,200–1,500

By bringing uncommon leather colors and custom options at an honest, accessible price point, our goal is to let more people experience the quality of Horween without the usual barriers.

Stay tuned — our Horween Engineer Boots Custom Program is coming very soon.

* Image credit: Horween Leather Company Blog.

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